This presentation will discuss the prehistoric site of Cahokia Mounds and a number of recent research projects that have been taking place over the last decade, including excavations on the North Palisade, Mound 34, Feature X, Tract 15-B, Rattlesnake Mound and Causeway, and various remote sensing projects across the site.

Presented by Jim Zimmer, Director for Art and History, Illinois State Museum

In the last half of the 19th century, “proper” American homes became showrooms for hand-made ornamental objects that by today’s standards of interior decoration are curious, foreign and obsessive.Portieres,lambrequins and antimacassars were commonplace in parlors, and objects made from feathers, seeds and even human hair garnered admiration.Jim Zimmer delves into this period by examining the underlying causes and influences for the proliferation of American “home arts” and shares the diverse manifestation of Victorian fancywork and household elegancies.

The Illinois State Museum invites families to come make winter-themed art at this month’s Super Saturday, Winter Craft Day, on December 14th from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm.These crafts could make great gifts or decorations, but most importantly they will be a lot of fun to create! Find out more ...

Despite America's long held fascination with the whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), rarely has there been an opportunity to carry out a study focusing on one aspect of whitetail behavior over a period of five decades in one location. Find out more ...

Super Saturdays at the Museum: Tusks, Teeth, and Tundra: Ice Age Giants

Presented by Jeffrey Saunders, Ph.D., Curator and Chair of Geology, Illinois State Museum

In October 1965 three young men from Minnesota (Jeff Saunders, a geology student; John Folk, a botany student; and Pete McCarthy, a Boundary Waters vagabond) traveled to McMurdo Station, Antarctica (1) as part of the 1965/1966 US Antarctic Research Program support staff. Find out more ...

ISM Curator of Art Robert Sill will discuss some of his research for his next two curatorial projects: FOCUS 4, THOM WHALEN and Protext Art: When Visual Art Meets the Written Word.

This slideshow will wander through some of the art by artists who have influenced FOCUS 4 artist Thom Whalen’s artistic oeuvre. By examining the sources of the artist’s inspiration, we get a glimpse into his creative process and how those influences get combined into his unique production. Find out more ...

Super Saturdays at the Museum: Eagles, Falcons, & Hawks: Not Just Sports Teams